BASEBALL TEAM FALLS 13-0 TO OVC-LEADING SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

March 28, 2014

MARTIN, Tenn. – Sophomore Drew Erie laced a career-high three hits out of the leadoff spot for the University of Tennessee at Martin baseball team but the Skyhawks couldn’t avoid Southeast Missouri’s big inning in a 13-0 loss at Skyhawk Field.

Erie doubled in his first two at bats and added a single in his third at-bat, recording his sixth multi-hit game of the season. Freshmen Nick Molina and Andrew Massey recorded their first collegiate hits this afternoon for the Skyhawks (3-20, 2-8 Ohio Valley Conference).

On the mound, Taylor Cox (0-6) was charged with the loss after allowing eight runs in 5.1 innings. Chris Flores (five runs in 1.1 innings), John Houston (three strikeouts over 1.1 innings) and Jacob Gansert (one shutout inning) also made appearances on the mound for UT Martin.

Southeast Missouri (15-10, 8-2 OVC) only scored in three innings today but tallied at least three runs in each scoring inning.

Cox conceded only an infield single in the first inning and followed with another shutout frame in the second, stranding a runner on third.

The Redhawks got on the scoreboard in the top of the third, taking a 4-0 advantage. UT Martin would place a runner in scoring position in each of the first three innings but couldn’t manufacture a run.

Cox pitched around a leadoff double in the fourth to throw up another scoreless frame. He also made short work of Southeast Missouri in the fifth, needing just nine pitches to retire the side in order.

Southeast Missouri then added six runs in the sixth to go ahead by a 10-0 margin. The Redhawks added three more runs in the seventh but it appeared as if UT Martin would cut into its deficit in the bottom half. Three straight one-out singles by Molina, Jake Deason and Massey loaded the bases but Redhawk starting pitcher Tyler Iago (10 strikeouts over seven innings) escaped the jam and kept the Skyhawks off the scoreboard.

Houston then put together a dominant top of the eighth, striking out the side on only 10 pitches (all strikes). UT Martin would put men in scoring position in both of the last two innings but could not push across a run.

Game 2 of the three-game series is slated to start at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at Skyhawk Field.